Cystic Acne: How To Get Rid Of It?
Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne. It most often affects teenagers but can also affect adults. How to get rid of cystic acne? In this article, we will give you tips on how to properly treat acne.
Cystic acne: what is it?
A cystic acne is a form of acne known as “severe”, characterized by the formation of pimples and deep subcutaneous inflammatory lesions such as cysts or microcysts. Acne can also be nodulocystic with the presence of nodules present quite deep in the epidermis and form a firm mass of more than 5 mm in diameter. These lesions can leave scars.
To treat this type of severe acne, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or an endocrinologist. Severe acne can leave scars on the skin and requires appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of cystic acne or severe acne
Cystic acne causes various inflammatory lesions to appear on the skin. The lesions of cystic acne often cause pain. Blackheads, nodules, and cysts are most often found on the face, but you can also suffer from acne on the buttocks or the back. Acne can be cystic from the start or worsen if not treated properly.
To treat your acne, you can tel consult a general practitioner or dermatologist. If necessary, the doctor may ask you to send a picture of the cystic acne lesions to make a diagnosis and adapt your treatment.
Is cystic acne hormonal in origin?
Cystic acne is always linked to a problem of hormonal balance in both adults and adolescents. This imbalance stimulates the sebaceous glands, which produce more sebum, particularly on the face (chin, forehead, etc.), but also elsewhere. This is why acne is particularly common during puberty.
In adulthood, cystic acne can be linked to hormonal contraception, stress, or even diet. Acne can also appear at the time of menstruation, ovulation, or pregnancy.
How do I know if my acne is hormonal?
Acne-related pimples are almost always hormonal in origin. They have several characteristics:
- the pimples are located on the jawline, cheeks, and chin;
- the lesions are painful;
- the pimples are more numerous during periods of stress or menstruation.
Cystic acne can be located on the face, especially the jaw, but not only. Pimples on the back are also common with hormonal acne.
Sometimes acne is confused with folliculitis, which is nicknamed “fungal acne”. This condition causes the skin to dry out and form red bumps, but without nodules or pustules. The lesions are usually on the chest and back.
The different solutions for treating cystic acne
What treatment for microcysts?
In the case of cystic acne, the doctor can propose several solutions, starting with local treatments and antibiotics and/or zinc cures. If this fails, only a dermatologist can prescribe a stronger treatment based on isotretinoin, such as Zinamax, which is the most effective treatment for cystic acne. Hormonal treatment may also be indicated for adult women.
Which antibiotic for cystic acne?
Antibiotics used to treat normal to severe or cystic acne may include:
- Cyclin antibiotics (contraindicated with isotretinoin);
- Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin)
These treatments for cystic acne are aimed at both the back and the face.
How to remove a micro-cyst pimple?
You should never pierce your pimples if you have cystic acne. You risk infecting your pimple and making it more inflamed. In addition, it can leave a mark. Extraction of cystic acne pimples should be done by a dermatologist. These extractions can be quite expensive.
Natural Remedies for Cystic Acne
Natural solutions can also complement treatments for cystic acne. Its evolution depends mainly on your lifestyle and regular cleaning of the skin with adapted products and recommended by your doctor.
Here is our advice:
- Aloe vera can help reduce inflammation and calm cystic acne.
- Essential oils should be avoided in cases of cystic acne because they are comedogenic (clog the pores).
- However, black cumin oil or argan oil have certain interesting properties but have not been scientifically proven, to treat cystic acne (in addition to a classic treatment), provided that you have a rigorous cleaning routine.
- Acupuncture is not a cure for cystic acne, but it can help reduce the stress that sometimes affects our hormonal balance.
- Regular masks can help rebalance the skin and fade cystic acne.
Makeup and foundation: products to avoid in case of acne
It can be tempting to use makeup to cover up pimples, but foundation smothers the skin, which is not good for cystic acne. It clogs pores and causes more problems.
If you want to wear makeup, choose non-comedogenic products to prevent your pores from becoming more clogged. Clean your skin thoroughly before and after use. Never go to bed without removing your makeup!
